Let the Commissioning Begin!
Seeing Jesus Through The Eyes of a Friend • Sermon • Submitted
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· 22 viewsJesus Begings the process of Sending the Disciples Out
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Introduction
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Verse 19 A lot has happened on that resurrection day - now considered to be the first day of the week. It was now in the evening. They were hiding in a room (what room?) with the doors locked because they were terrified of the Jewish leaders and for good reason, after all, they had just killed Jesus! Then Jesus shows up. The doors are locked so He pops in, materializes into the room in which they are hiding! That had to be shocking! The first words He speaks to them are “Peace be with you.”Why are these His first words to them? Shalom was a common greeting of peace from one Jew to another. They had just come off of a traumatic time. Jesus had every right to be upset with His disciples because, in fear, they abandoned Him in the hour He needed them the most. But He does not wish them ill or come to punish them. Instead in the hour they most need Him, He arrives and offers them peace!
They were hiding in a room (what room?) with the doors locked because they were terrified of the Jewish leaders and for good reason, after all, they had just killed Jesus!
Then Jesus shows up. The doors are locked so He pops in, materializes into the room in which they are hiding! That had to be shocking!
The first words He speaks to them are “Peace be with you.”
IntroductionGreet everyone (be in front of the pulpit)Attention (Why should they listen to you?)What is the Hearer’s problem? What is the Biblical Solution? What do the hearers need to know? Main Textual Idea:Main Sermon Idea: Interrogative:Transition: Body (Satisfaction)Division 1 Statement: Lead in...Explanation - Illustration - Argumentation - Application - Review - Division 2 Statement: Lead in...Explanation - Illustration - Argumentation - Application - Review - Division 3 Statement: Lead in...Explanation - Illustration - Argumentation - Application - Review - Division 4 Statement: Lead in...Explanation - Illustration - Argumentation - Application - Review - Division 5 Statement: Lead in...Explanation - Illustration - Argumentation - Application - Review - Conclusion (Visualization)ReiterationAction
Why are these His first words to them?
Shalom was a common greeting of peace from one Jew to another.
They had just come off of a traumatic time. Jesus had every right to be upset with His disciples because, in fear, they abandoned Him in the hour He needed them the most.
But He does not wish them ill or come to punish them. Instead in the hour they most need Him, He arrives and offers them peace!
After sermon is written, ask these three questions to edit
After sermon is written, ask these three questions to edit
Verse 20
Notice their response when they saw the Lord was, “They were glad”. The sense of the Greek work, “echaresan” is “to rejoice”.
Jesus repeat His phrase, “Peace be with you.” but then adds to it, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Did they understand what He meant?
How did the Father send Jesus? How will Jesus send them?
Why in the world did Jesus breath on them? That seems really weird!!
He gave them a command to receive the Holy Spirit!
And out of the blue, He tells them about their ability to forgive the sons of any. And if they do, they are forgiven. If the don’t they are not.
What does this have to do with their commissioning?
What does this have to do with the Holy Spirit?
Is this exclusively for them? Or is it prescriptive for the church? Christians in general?
Holman New Testament Commentary: John C. A Lasting Peace (20:19–23)
Morris notes, “It should also be borne in mind that, according to the best text, the verbs ‘are forgiven’ and ‘are retained’ are in the perfect tense. The meaning of this is that the Spirit-filled church can pronounce with authority that the sins of such-and-such men have been forgiven or have been retained. If the church is really acting under the leadership of the Spirit it will be found that her pronouncements on this matter do but reveal what has already been determined in heaven” (Morris, p. 849).
Introduction
Introduction
Textual Main Idea - God Gives His Peace for a Purpose!
God Gives His Peace When We are Hurting (vs. 19-20) -
Jesus delivers peace to the fearful disciples
(vs. 19-20)Commanded by Jesus to Go (vs. 21-22)Empowered by the Spirit to Forgive (or not) (vs. 23)
God Gives His Peace As We Go (vs. 21-22) -
God Gives His Peace to Pronounce Forgiveness (vs. 23)
Introduction
What do my hearers NEED to know?What is NICE for them to know?Where CAN they go (if they would like to know more)? Keep it at 45min which is 3000 words (Murder the Darlings) What is the “Elevator Speech”? Make sure you have a compelling hook! Why should they listen to you?
What is your PURPOSE? What on earth are you here for?
Attention (Why should they listen to you?)
Glen Smith from Executive Coaching gives seven reasons why a company should have a written purpose statement. Let’s just look at the first.
https://www.glennsmithcoaching.com/7-reasons-your-company-needs-clear-written-mission-statement/
“It determines the company's direction. Smart business owners use this statement to remind their teams why their company exists because this is what makes the company successful. The mission statement serves as a “North Star” that keeps everyone clear on the direction of the organization.” - https://www.glennsmithcoaching.com/7-reasons-your-company-needs-clear-written-mission-statement/
I believe strong PURPOSE comes from something you are convinced about, that you believe with your whole heart! That you have made peace with...
People with little peace have little purpose. They are tossed to and fro with every new wave of teaching. Purposeless people are peace-less people. Yet when someone finds true peace, purpose isn’t far behind…(my testimony)
So, as Christians, we ought to be the most purposed people on the planet!
However, even we believers can lose our purpose because we lose our peace. We begin to spend a lot of our energy on worry, anxiety, our hurts, etc. that we soon fail to see God’s purpose for our lives.
So many Christians wonder what God’s will is for their lives and that is a legitimate question. And part of understanding God’s will for each of our individual lives is a mystery that we must discover as we journey through this life. However, God, throughout His word has made His will for His people clear as day. For example.
What is the Biblical Solution? But when we truly understand what God has provided for us. A peace, a cessation of war between God and us and that He is now for us and no longer against us, then we can settle in and realize there is TRUE purpose for those of us that are IN CHRIST. And that purpose it to partner with God to help people be reconciled with God!
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
So, regardless of your career, marriage, the car you drive or the socks you picked out this morning, God wants you to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstance. That is His will for all believers of all time.
But when we truly understand what God has provided for us. A peace, a cessation of war between God and us and that He is now for us and no longer against us, then we can settle in and realize there is TRUE purpose for those of us that are IN CHRIST.
Believers do not get a pass from actively pursuing and obeying the will of God in their lives!
And when we truly understand what God has provided for us. When we truly comprehend the beauty of the Gospel.
But when we truly understand what God has provided for us. A peace, a cessation of war between God and us and that He is now for us and no longer against us, then we can settle in and realize there is TRUE purpose for those of us that are IN CHRIST.
That there is a peace available, a cessation of war between God and us and that He is now for you and no longer against you, then you can settle in and realize there is TRUE purpose for those of us that are IN CHRIST.
And that purpose it to partner with God to help people be reconciled with God!
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
This too is God’s will and so our purpose! God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. You, if your are a Christian, are are the vehicle of this truth and it is His will that you share this truth with those around you as you are going through this one and only life you have been given. This is your purpose.
So many Christians live their lives with a purpose that is not aligned with the purposes of God. They do everything they can to make earth heaven. We easily miss the point that this is not heaven. And yet there is heaven to come. And there is but one way to obtain access to that Heaven and that is through Christ alone. Those who do not have this knowledge or understanding will not have access to heaven. Our purpose then is to, by the power of the Holy Spirit, share that there is a heaven and we have the access code and His name is Jesus! Our purpose is to curtail our one and only life to communicate this truth as we are going through this life to all the Lord will bring across our collective paths.
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
When you have peace with God, your purpose in this life becomes more and more clear...
What do the hearers need to know?
It is this understanding that is the backdrop as we look into .
Jesus has a plan and a purpose for His disciples. He always has! He spent three years preparing them for it.
Main Textual Idea: This the John’s version of the Great Commission...
They still didn’t see it, but it is in this passage that the Lord makes a wave that will soon turn into a tsunami of global change.
And this wave begins with a simple offer of peace. However, this peace is not simply for peace itself...
Main Sermon Idea: God Gives His Peace for a Purpose!
What is His purpose and what does peace have to do with it?
There are three beautiful and encouraging truths that are connected to the purposeful reality of God’s Peace!
1. God Give His Peace When We are Hurting (vs. 19-20)
1. God Give His Peace When We are Hurting (vs. 19-20)
Lead in…Huddled together in an upstairs room, the disciples are beside themselves with hurt, grief and fear. The One they had invested the last three years in was now dead along with their dreams of He establishing his Kingdom here on earth! Everything they hoped for…everything they lived for - gone!
What has replaced it is the abyss of the unknown...
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
Explanation -
Verse 19
A lot has happened on that resurrection day (now considered to be the first day of the week).
Jesus rose from the dead...
Angels show up at the tomb...
A great earthquake...
Hardened and experienced Roman Guards pass out from fear...
The sealed tomb is opened...
Mary Magdalen discovers the open tomb and runs back to get Peter and John...
Peter and John come back and see the empty tomb, John believes in his heart that Jesus is risen...
Mary M. is the first disciple to talk with the resurrected Jesus...
Jesus walks and talks with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus...
etc...
It was now in the evening according to John...
They were hiding in a room (most likely the upper room where they celebrated the Passover meal).
The doors were locked because the disciples were terrified of the Jewish leaders and for good reason, after all, they had just killed Jesus!
Then Jesus shows up!
What? Yes, Jesus shows up! (Don’t minimize the significance of this…)
The doors are locked and He pops in! He materializes into the room in which they are hiding! That had to be shocking!
The first words He utters to them are not...
Hey guys! What’s up?
Wow! What a weekend!
His first words to them are “Peace be with you.”
Why are these His first words to them? “Shalom” was a common greeting of peace from one Jew to another. But I think it is much deeper than a simple greeting...
Shalom was a common greeting of peace from one Jew to another.
His first words are also NOT words of rebuke. And they could have been!
They had just come off of a traumatic time. Jesus had every right to be upset with His disciples because, in fear, they abandoned Him in the hour He needed them the most. But He does not wish them ill or come to punish them.
Instead in the hour they most need Him, He arrives and offers them peace!
But He does not wish them ill or come to punish them. Instead in the hour they most need Him, He arrives and offers them peace!
Principle - When we need it most, God’s peace is always available.
I think there is an even more poignant reason. Since the crucifixion and now resurrection, peace is TRULY available to them and all who will believe. This is at the heart of the gospel.
Prior to saving faith we are at war with God! Because of the gospel, peace from that terrible conflict is gloriously available! (More on this later)
Notice what happens next...
Verse 20
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
After he speaks these comforting words, “Peace be with you” He extends hands and shows them His side. Why?
To prove to them that He is no imposter. To give them unequivocal proof that He was the same One who hung on that inhumane cross!
Notice Lukes’ version of the event...
36 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; 43 and He took it and ate it before them.
Luke 24:36-
In both Luke and John’s account, notice their response when they saw the Lord. It was, “They were glad”.
The sense of the Greek work, “echar-esan” is “to rejoice”.
Principle - God gives His peace when we are hurting and His peace results in joy!
What is joy? Joy is the deep seated hope (belief) that the promises of God are indeed true!
What is joy? Joy is the deep seated hope that the promises of God are indeed true!
Jesus just proved to this group of disciples that what He had been saying for so long did, in fact, come to fruition! He died, He was buried and He rose again!
This dawning realization gripped their hearts and filled them with overflowing joy!
It’s kinda like a surprise birthday party! The one having the birthday (the victim), is completely in the dark! They have no idea what looms in their future. They have their thoughts and plans for the evening. But as they are ushered into the dark room, and suddenly the lights turn on exposing all their friends and family - topped off with a collective, “Surprise!!!” The realization of a different reality for the evening slowly creeps in. It’s not what the victim expected. It is far better! and joy, peace and contentment are the inevitable results...
Jesus pulled the ultimate surprise party and He was the surprise! No one expected what just happened. And now that they are coming to grips with the fact that it is really Him, rejoicing fills their hearts. And that kind of joy leads us to a peace that passes all understanding!
God wants you to have His peace! Why? Because of His great and profund love for you...
Steps to peace with God by Billy Graham
STEP 1: GOD’S PURPOSE: PEACE AND LIFE
STEP 1: GOD’S PURPOSE: PEACE AND LIFE
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and eternal life.
The Bible says:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
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What keeps us from having the life God planned for us?
STEP 2: THE PROBLEM: OUR SEPARATION FROM GOD
STEP 2: THE PROBLEM: OUR SEPARATION FROM GOD
God created us in His image. He gave us a will and the freedom of choice; we choose to disobey Him and go our own way. This separates us from God.
The Bible says:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
People have tried to bridge this gap between themselves and God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
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“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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People have tried to bridge this gap between themselves and God.
The Bible says:
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
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2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
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No bridge reaches God … except one.
STEP 3: GOD’S BRIDGE: THE CROSS
STEP 3: GOD’S BRIDGE: THE CROSS
Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between us and God.
The Bible says:
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
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“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
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God has provided the only way back to Him. You must make a choice.
STEP 4: OUR RESPONSE: RECEIVE CHRIST
STEP 4: OUR RESPONSE: RECEIVE CHRIST
We must trust and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The Bible says:
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
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9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
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Which side are you on? The side with Christ or without Him?
Some of you here today are hurting. Life is harder than you ever thought possible. God’s peace is available for you if you but repent and place your faith in Him!
Review - God Gives His Peace for a Purpose
God Gives His Peace to the Hurting
2. God Gives His Peace As We Go (vs. 21-22)
Lead in…As they are coming to terms with the fact that their Rabbi is no longer dead, but standing right before their eyes, Jesus has some more He needs to say. Take a look at verse 21...
Lead in...
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Explanation -
Verse 21
Jesus repeat His phrase, “Peace be with you.” but then adds to it, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” I’m sure they didn’t fully understand the import of those amazing words, but the bottom line is, they , like Jesus was sent, will be sent as well. But as you can see, PEACE leads to PURPOSE.
Did they understand what He meant?
How did the Father send Jesus? Paul give a beautiful answer to this question...
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
How will Jesus send them?
As weak and vulnerable...
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Luke
As seekers of the lost...
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
As disciple makers...
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
The important thing to remember here is because they have peace with God they were qualified and expected to GO! Jesus wasn’t asking their permission. He told them that He WAS sending them in the same manner in which He was sent...
Principle - If you are a believer, you are a goer for Jesus!
And just in case they thought they were on their own and expected to “go” in their own strength, Jesus has another word of encouragement for them...
Verse 22
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
So He wishes them peace again, tells them that they will be sent forth on mission and then He breaths on them!?
Why in the world did Jesus breath on them? That seems really weird!!
Whenever I breath on my wife, she is not impressed!
It was an amazing picture. Just as God breathed into the nostrils of Adam and thus gave him life, so Jesus breathes on His disciples the living power of the Holy Spirit! Their lives will be new and never will they be the same!
When did this take place? When did they receive the Holy Spirit?
He gave them a command to receive the Holy Spirit! This would ultimately and fully take place many days later on the day of Pentecost...
The presence of Jesus brings peace. And it is His presence that emboldens us to get up and get moving and GO for God!
The permanency of His Spirit brings the possibility of permanent peace!
Were the disciples ready to go for God? No. But they would be soon!
They were armed with two, powerful truths that are capable of changing, not only individual lives, but entire countries! What are these truths?
The resurrected Christ!
The indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit!
Armed with these to realities, the world was about to be turned on its’ head!
Illustration - When I think of the ultimate personal weapon, I think of the Star Trek Phaser. It has unlimited bullets (lasers). You can set it from kill to stun. And it sounds cool. Think of the protection we could have if our police and military had Start Trek Phasers!
We, the church of Jesus Christ has something far more powerful than a phaser gun!
Argumentation -
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
“I am with you ALWAYS”
Napoleon expressed the following thoughts Regarding Jesus while he was exiled on the rock of St. Helena.
Well then, I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for Him. . . . I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man; none else is like Him: Jesus Christ was more than a man. . . . I have inspired multitudes with such an enthusiastic devotion that they would have died for me . . . but to do this is was necessary that I should be visibly present with the electric influence of my looks, my words, of my voice. When I saw men and spoke to them, I lightened up the flame of self-devotion in their hearts. . . . Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man toward the unseen, that it becomes insensible to the barriers of time and space. Across a chasm of eighteen hundred years, Jesus Christ makes a demand which is beyond all others difficult to satisfy; He asks for that which a philosopher may often seek in vain at the hands of his friends, or a father of his children, or a bride of her spouse, or a man of his brother. He asks for the human heart; He will have it entirely to Himself. He demands it unconditionally; and forthwith His demand is granted. Wonderful! - http://justjesus.typepad.com/blog/2009/11/napoleon-bonaparte-and-jesus-christ.html
http://justjesus.typepad.com/blog/2009/11/napoleon-bonaparte-and-jesus-christ.html
“I am with you ALWAYS!!”
“I am with you ALWAYS!!”
Folks, that is a promise not just for the disciples in that day but it is for us as well!!! We have the Resurrected Christ and the Holy Spirit with us ALWAYS!
Yes, they were commanded to go, but they were promised that they would not go it alone! That is true for you as well...
If you are a believer, you have peace with God! You have a peace that passes all understanding that will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. And because of that peace you can have the confidence to GO! Just like the Father sent Jesus, so HE is sending you!!!
Jesus was weak and vulnerable, so are you!!! but your weakness displays the glory, grandeur and magnificence of God!
Jesus was sent incarnation-ally, so are you. Salvation with skin on!
Jesus was sent as a seeker of the lost, so are you!
Jesus was sent as a disciple-maker, so are you!!
And all of this is possible because of the Peace of God...
And all of this is possible because of the Peace of God...
Review - God Gives His Peace for a Purpose
God Gives His Peace for a Purpose
God Gives His Peace to the Hurting
2. God Gives His Peace As We Go!
3. God Gives His Peace to Pronounce Forgiveness (vs. 23)
God Gives His Peace to Pronounce Forgiveness (vs. 23)
Lead in…it is crucial that we read this next verse within the unit of this paragraph and not take it out of this context. It is also important that we understand the grammar as well so we can correctly interpret this verse. Why? because we will miss John’s intended meaning if we do not. Let’s take a look...
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Do you see what I mean? This passage has been ripped from it’s context and proposed to mean all kinds of things that I do not believe John or Jesus intended.
Verse 23
Remember the context for a correct interpretation - The context is Jesus showing up and encouraging His friends and disciples and offering them shalom / peace. And it is the peace that they know He is indeed alive an that his death, burial and resurrection have work together to appease the wrath of God and offer a beautiful and permanent truce between God and those who repent and place their faith in Jesus. Armed with this knowledge and new found passion they will be sent out by Jesus to reach more and more with the knowledge of salvation.
What does this have to do with their commissioning?
What does this have to do with the Holy Spirit?
Remember the grammar for a correct understanding -
Is this exclusively for them? Or is it prescriptive for the church? Christians in general?
Holman New Testament Commentary: John C. A Lasting Peace (20:19–23)
Morris notes, “It should also be borne in mind that, according to the best text, the verbs ‘are forgiven’ and ‘are retained’ are in the perfect tense. The meaning of this is that the Spirit-filled church can pronounce with authority that the sins of such-and-such men have been forgiven or have been retained. If the church is really acting under the leadership of the Spirit it will be found that her pronouncements on this matter do but reveal what has already been determined in heaven” (Morris, p. 849).
Explanation -
God declares that someone is forgiven if they repent from their sins and place their faith in God. And because of this we, the church, can PRONOUNCE WITH AUTHORITY that ANYONE who has repented and trusts Christ is, in fact, forgiven.
Illustration -
You and I are like the town crier… “Here ye, hear ye! Because Bob Searles has repented of His sins and placed His faith in Christ, We, Allendale Baptist Church pronounce Him forgiven!
on the other hand
“Here ye, here ye! Because Joe Blow has not repented of his sins and placed his faith in Christ as his only hope for eternal life we, as ABC pronounce him NOT forgiven!!!
Only God can forgive sin, the scriptures are clear on this!
25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
Once we understand the structure and meaning of this sentence, it fits so much better in the context...
You, my friend have the glorious responsibility to declare if someone is forgiven or not!
And if they are not, you have the wonderful opportunity to tell them how.
Review - God Gives His Peace for a Purpose
Division 4 Statement:
Lead in...
Explanation -
Illustration -
Argumentation -
God Gives His Peace for a Purpose
Application -
God Gives His Peace to the Hurting
Review -
2. God Gives His Peace As We Go!
Division 5 Statement:
3. God Gives His Peace to Pronounce Forgiveness
Lead in...
Explanation -
Illustration -
Argumentation -
Application -
Review -
Conclusion (Visualization)
Reiteration
Jesus came to visit the disciples to reassure them by offering them peace. But not only Peace, but purpose. Purpose rooted in the gospel. Purpose that comes from a live that is forgiven and free.
They didn’t need to hurt any longer, but they did need to go and help people find the forgiveness that was available to them.
Action
What is your PURPOSE?
I’m not suggesting that you sell everything and head to the mission field tomorrow. Although, there are some hear today that God may be calling to full-time vocational ministry. Be open to that call!
But for all of us here this morning, God wants us to turn our focus from our troubles, pains, fears and hurts and turn it toward Jesus.
When you find your peace with God through Jesus, you will undoubtedly find your purpose in this life...
So, What’s Your Purpose?
After sermon is written, ask these three questions to edit
After sermon is written, ask these three questions to edit
What do my hearers NEED to know?
What is NICE for them to know?
Where CAN they go (if they would like to know more)?
Keep it at 45min which is 3000 words (Murder the Darlings)
What is the “Elevator Speech”?
Make sure you have a compelling hook! Why should they listen to you?
Connection Group Questions / Reflection Questions
What stands out to you from this Scripture?
What is the significance of the peace of Christ? What does His peace mean to you personally?
You, as a disciple of Jesus, are commanded to go as the Father sent the Son into the world. Is this a struggle for you? Why or why not?
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit for His disciples. Why is the Holy Spirit necessary for His disciples in order fulfill the Great Commission?
What do you think verse 23 means? What is the danger of misinterpreting this verse?
What is the most important thing you have learned for this text?